What do we love to eat and drink in summer?
Lightness is the key to contrast heat and warmth. Summer, the most loved and awaited season of the year, is also the right time to change our lifestyle and lighten our body, mind and above all, improve our nutrition.
But what to eat and drink in summer?
High temperatures always bring a sense of exhaustion and fatigue. However, eating healthy and staying hydrated helps to cope with this heat, which is fundamental for our healthy being during this time. So we want to give you some advice to face the heat better.
Drinking at least 1.5 litres of water a day, equivalent to at least eight glasses, helps avoid dehydration. But, of course, the idea is that the water is at room temperature or chilled and not frozen. For those who want to alternate drinking water with other beverages, a supplement of herbal teas and other drinks such as our Moringa teas or our delicious Flip Zobo would be a fantastic option.
It is recommended to consume a lot of fruit and vegetables as well. If you like smoothies, then that is a great way to have them and to compensate for the body's demands. Fruit is rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants; therefore, it should be consumed throughout the day. Which types of fruits are the best? The most abundant in water like melons and watermelons. Strawberries, cherries, apricots, peaches, figs are also suitable for this period of the year. Yes, our Flip Zobo, with its different flavours such as Pineapple, Coconut and Banana, can be your best friend this time of the year!
Regarding more substantial food, even if for some people, warmth reduces hunger, don't skip your meals, especially breakfast! Breakfast is the most critical meal because it comes after the most prolonged fasting period and provides "fuel" for the whole day. Sometimes, due to the morning rush or the hectic pace of life, it is thought that skipping it or having a coffee on the go is enough. However, not consuming an adequate breakfast predisposes to a greater intake of calories in the following hours. A "correct" diet is a healthy, balanced, varied diet that properly introduces all food groups. Extreme sacrifice or absolute deprivation is not the right way to go.
In summer, it is generally recommended to reduce meat consumption, especially red meat, to reduce the total calorie intake and saturated fats. The recommended meat is the lightest one, or white meat, such as chicken, since it has a good protein content. Fish that are more delicate and more digestible is also more favourable. Therefore, it is advisable to eat it even more in summer (better grilled or baked) due to its omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids content and high digestibility.
Vegetables should be the unquestioned masters of the summer tables, to be taken even at the beginning of meals. In this way, you will be filled with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, especially with carrots, fennel, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, celery, radicchio, zucchini and black-eyed beans.
Overall, it is more sustainable to consume organic products. These, following the normal cycle of nature, are richer in nutrients and grow with fewer insecticides or pesticides to the benefit of consumers and our planet.
In conclusion, the first defence against the oppressive heat must be built at the table, drinking many fluids and choosing light and nutritious foods!